Shopping in Playa del Carmen

When it comes to shopping in Playa del Carmen, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Taking a stroll around the town can be a nice change of scenery from the beach. You’ll find a great range of stores to choose from, including everything from traditional Mexican souvenirs to American-style shopping malls. Here’s our top spots for shopping in Playa del Carmen, so you can make the most of your holiday money and get the best deals and bargains on offer.

1. 5th Avenue (La Quinta Avenida)

5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen is at the top of the list. This is the beating heart of the resort, and it’s the place to go for shopping, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Biurful and La Milagrosa are two of the trendiest independent shops on the street; you can find clothing and accessories here.

Elsewhere, you’ll find plenty of typical Mexican souvenirs, jewellery and more. Even if you’re not looking for anything in particular, there’s a lovely bohemian vibe on 5th Avenue, so enjoy a stroll and take it all in.

2.Quinta Alegría

You’ll also find the Quinta Alegria Shopping Mall on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. This US-style centre is spread across three floors and it’s home to lots of big-name brands.

But that’s not to say this is a run-of-the-mill shopping mall. In true Mexican style, there’s still a lively festival atmosphere here. If you’re lucky, you might catch a performance from a street artist, or even a classic movie.

3.Riviera Art Gallery

Make your way down 20th Street (between 5th and 10th Avenue) and you’ll come across the Riviera Art Gallery. It’s the place to go if you’re into art; oil and acrylic paintings, photography, handicrafts and sculptures are all on sale here.

Part of the aim of this shop is to make collectable art accessible to everyone, and lots of works on display here have been created by local artists.

4.Plaza Playacar

If you’re looking for all things Mexico, Plaza Playacar is just the ticket. Inside this small, Mexican colonial-style shopping mall, you’ll find your usual souvenirs on sale (like keyrings and magnets), along with Mayan clothing, jewellery, tequila and silver.

You can also find handy services like car rental and an internet café. Plus, there’s a big-name coffee outlet on site if you need a caffeine burst to keep you going.

Any top tips for shopping in Playa del Carmen?

It’s always best to pay in pesos rather than US dollars. That way, you can make sure you’re getting the best value for money; each shop decides its own exchange rate, so you could end up paying over the odds if you use dollars.

Shops open on 5th Avenue at around 10am. But if you want to visit after the crowds have gone and when it’s cooler, after 7pm is a good time to go.

Most stores offer fixed prices, so don’t try and negotiate. If you’re shopping from stalls on the street, though, you could give haggling a go.

Have you ever been shopping in Playa del Carmen? What’s your favourite place to go? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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